Reading comprehension

Part 7
Exam tips There is ONE EXTRA PARAGRAPH

BASE 1.Read the base text, ignoring the gaps to get a general understanding of what
it is about and how it is organised.

2.Next, carefully read the text around each gap and think about what type of
GAPS information might be missing. Reread last and first sentences.

3.Read paragraphs A-G. Check for topic and language links with the base text.
TOPICS &
Highlight words that relate to people, places, events and any time references.
LANGUAGE
This will help you follow the development of the argument
LINKS

BEST 4.Choose the best option. Check pronouns & vocabulary references are
OPTION clear. Reread the whole text.
You are going to read a magazine article about
a training session with a stuntman- someone
who performs the dangerous and exciting
actions in films. Six paragraphs have been
removed from the article. Choose from the
paragraphs A-G the one which fits each gap
(41-46). There is one extra paragraph which
you do not need to use.
In the exam mark your answers on the separate
answer sheet.
Learning to be a hero
Alex Benady has a lesson in fitness from a film stuntman.

ASK A QUESTION
While doing the TASK (Apply the following strategies)

1.Write the topic of the paragraphs.

2.Highlight language links (despite- these-there- days- place-etc.)
3.Focus on the last sentence of each paragraph and the first of the following paragraphs.
4. Pay close attention to pronouns (This- that- those- them- it)

TOPICS- LANGUAGE LINKS- FIRST & LAST -

PRONOUNS
Learning to be a hero
Alex Benady has a lesson in fitness from a film stuntman.

LET'S DO IT!
 Check
41 F
BASE: ….before I finally locate my feet. The truth is I
can't reach much past my knees and the effort of doing
that seems to be rupturing my kidneys.

PARAGRAPH F: You may think that this sounds a bit

feeble. But I was dangling upside down … suspended
from a bar by a pair of gravity boots.
42 D
BASE: Steve is showing me exactly how he stays stunt
fit… very extreme kind of fitness…stamina, flexibility,
strength and core stability.

PARAGRAPH D: he reckons anyone can get there with a

couple of gym sessions and a couple of runs a weeks. ….
the key is variety…do as many types of exercise as possible
 43 A
BASE: It had all started so well.
PARAGRAPH A: “We will just warm up first” …as we
enter the muscle work gym. Then we start some strength
work, vital for hanging off helicopters…

BASE: He usually does this at the end of the session. On set, if

you have a big dangerous stunt, you won't do it until the end of
the day.
44 E

BASE: The steve introduces me to the chinning bar, which

involves movements for building strength in your back and arms.

PARAGRAPH E: Much to my surprise. I can actually do a

few… raise your legs, pain, pain, pain.
45 G
BASE: We move on to balance and coordination…starting by
walking….I fall off..He shows me how to jump on to the bar…
Then he points to a two inch-wide bar at about waist height.

PARAGRAPH G: With feet firmly together. He leaps on,

balances himself, leaps off, on, off… power to stop himself
from falling when he lands…he had the feet of a ballerina.
46 B
BASE: He throws me over his shoulder and I arc gracefully
through the air, landing painlessly. But when it´s my turn, I don't
so much throw him as trip him up and he smashes into the
ground…

PARAGRAPH B: It is clear that I have some work to do

before I am ready to amaze the world of … stunts. but I
have taken one comforting piece of knowledge…

BASE: At least I´ll never suffer from an anatomical anomaly.

HOW DID YOU
SCORE?

Total: …../6